In 2022, Capcom released theCapcom Fighting Collectionto a surprised but welcoming audience. There were lingering concerns after theStreet Fighter 30th Anniversary Collectionlaunched in 2018 with delay-based netcode, an odd structure for online matches, and somewhat high input lag, but theCapcom Fighting Collectionimproved on all those aspects. It’s a good thing it did, because nowMarvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade ClassicsandCapcom Fighting Collection 2are using the firstCFC’s framework, and both sport highlight titles that have been unavailable for years. Beginning withMarvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collectionin 2024, a new age of classic Capcom fighters is underway.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classicsis supported not just by the firstFighting Collection, but also years oflove fromMvCfans and developers. For the first time since the PS3 and Xbox 360 for some games, and the PS1 for others,X-Men: Children of the Atom,Marvel Super Heroes,X-Men vs. Street Fighter,Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter,Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes, andMarvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroesare all at fans’ fingertips. Throw in the first direct port of Capcom’s 1993 arcade beat-’em-upThe Punisher, and theMvC Fighting Collectionlooks like a must-have package.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classicsis supported not just by the firstFighting Collection, but also years of love fromMvCfans and developers.
If any of that looks or sounds enticing, the good news is thatMarvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collectionis exactly what it claims to be. All the modern conveniences and Museum goodies the originalCapcom Fighting Collectionoffered are equally present in this collection, for better and for worse. Everything is in service of preservingtheMvC Fighting Collection’s seven gamesin their ideal state, and that is it. There are some extra touch-ups that set theMvC Fighting Collectionapart from its predecessor, but the older collection’s owners will quickly notice just how little has changed.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection Is Capcom Fighting Collection 1.5
For the most part, that’s a good thing. Running the PS4 version on PS5, every game in the collection holds a smooth 60fps. Players can opt to reduce flashing lights and skip past boot-up screens for each game, and the collection’s loading is short across the board. Granular options for the resolution and VCR filter allow everyone to make these classics look right for them. Distinct sidebars can be set for each game if the resolution allows for them, and every title also has its marquee art available for a quick gameplay refresher. That does meanthe tutorials a modern fighting game needsare absent, but a simple, yet effective, training mode persists for all six fighting games.
A hitbox viewer, rollback netcode, and Museum mode’s hundreds of art pieces and music tracks are nice, but they all meet the baseline expectations for anotherCapcom Fighting Collection.Marvel vs. Capcom’s influential namewill likely bring a lot of newcomers to this bundle, so disappointment at a lack of improvements won’t be widespread, but there is a worrying amount of complacency here for what should be a sequel. Issues like all seven games sharing a single quick save slot offline are still around, increasingly-standard online crossplay is absent, move lists now lack “Air OK” callouts for ground-and-aerial specials, and even navigating the sub-menus of the collection feels like it should have improved over the past couple of years.
This heightened scrutiny is due to the collection’s high-profile Capcom-made Marvel games, and the surrounding missteps do little to harm their worth. Japanese and English ROMs offer slightly different balance for every title, and some new bug fixes, mostly forMvC2, have resolved crashing issues while also creating new tech for competitive players. Of special note, however, isMarvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter’s inclusion of the comedian guest fighter Norimaro in its Japanese version. It’s the first time this joke character has officially left Japan, and demonstrates effort beyondthe firstCapcom Fighting Collection’s failureto include a version ofDarkstalkers 3with its complete roster, or secret character Dee.
It only takes 20–30 minutes to clear the fighting games’ arcade runs, but expectThe Punisherto take 50–60 minutes.
Improvements like these ensure that this is the definitive collection of Marvel arcade fighting games, though just making these legendary games available on modern hardware again is the only thing theMvC Fighting Collectionneeded to do. WhileMarvel vs. Capcom 2stands above the restas a casual and competitive powerhouse, eachX-Men,Marvel Super Heroes, andVs.title has something unique to offer. Whether it’s stages with dynamic transitions, unique team supers, or attacks and animations that were removed in subsequent games, these titles, their characters, and even their secret fighters and arcade runs are all worth remembering.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection Has Something For Everyone
While players whittle away the hours in these classics, they will frequently earn Fighter Awards. These are in-game medals with no rewards or progressionbeyond some PlayStation Trophiesor Steam Achievements, but they can act as pointers towards some of the more obscure parts of the collection. Every game tracks which fighters have reached the end of their respective arcade modes, but the challenges on the initial shared menu are where the real fun lies. Combo count or point-based goals may lie beyond some players' reach, but theMvC Fighting Collectiondoes what it can to get them closer.
Capcom has imported a version ofStreet Fighter 6’s impressive Modern controlsinto every fighting game present, including special and super move buttons on controllers by default. These, like any button, can be remapped to not just button combinations, but specific special move inputs for every character in the collection. Said shortcuts involve simulated organic inputs for balance’s sake, which can cause some unintended movement for charge motions, but that’s a small price to pay for such a great accessibility feature. They can also be used to circumvent a collection-wide bug preventing “tap rapidly” inputs from registering as specials, but that’s a rare input and Capcom will probably fix it quickly.
Difficulty options and the aforementioned quick save should make completing the various arcade ladders a breeze, but when players really want to test their mettle, online mode is waiting. Stable rollback netcode and plenty of search parameters, including restricting boss characters, were features thefirstCapcom Fighting Collectionleft to its sequels. Only a few people were online irregularly during the review period, but the matches Game Rant found felt good. Players can set their preferences and then enjoy an offline mode while matchmaking, or join up to eight others in a custom lobby. A high score challenge can also be attempted, though only one title in theMvCcollection offers split leaderboards for solo and online co-op, and it isn’t a fighting game.
The Punisher Stands Out From Its Fighting Game Brethren
Marvel vs. Capcom 2may be the undisputed star of this package, but likeRed EarthandPuzzle Fighterin the firstCFC, theMvC Fighting Collection’s deviant entry shouldn’t be slept on.The Punisheris a 1993 Capcom beat-’em-up, predatingthe 1994X-Men: CotAas the oldest title present, and emulates its arcade version on consoles for the first time instead of the inferior Mega Drive and Genesis ports. When players want a break from theFighting Collection’s competition, they can take Frank Castle, Nick Fury, or both on a crime-stopping joyride that should not be missed.
The Punisheris arguably a hidden gem among Capcom’s beat-’em-up backlog, and worth the price of admission for action enthusiasts. It plays like a refined version ofFinal Fight, with Frank and Nick sharing an expansive moveset that combines Cody and Guy’s styles. What setsThe Punisherapart from its genre is a potent dodge roll that compliments offense and defense, a low-health comeback state in defiance of typical beat-‘em-up quarter munching, and a context-sensitive third-person shooter moveset. It sounds straightforward, especially compared toarcade legendAlien vs. Predator, butThe Punisherprovides an accessible experience that allows anyone to ease into the genre.
Six Marvel fighting games and one obscure beat-’em-up might sound like a downgrade compared to the other, largerCapcom Fighting Collections, but the star power ofMarvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classicsmakes it more than worth investing in. Despite a lack of evolution compared to its predecessor, the respect for these titles is felt regardless, and itmakes the case for anMvC4better than anything else. Anyone with an interest in the fighting genre should find something to love here, andThe Punishermight even spark love for a different corner of Capcom’s catalog. A thoroughMarvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collectionhas been a long time coming, and its arrival feels like the celebration it should be.
WHERE TO PLAY
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classicslaunches digitally on September 12 for PC, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, with an Xbox One release slated for 2025. Game Rant was provided a PS4 code for this review.
